Compact front-operable image forming apparatus

ABSTRACT

An image forming apparatus is disclosed that includes a substantially flat top face and a slanted front face, the bottom side of which recedes backward. The image forming apparatus may includes a paper discharge tray disposed at a lower portion of the slanted front face, the paper discharge tray protruding forward. The paper discharge tray may be tiltable upward and downward. Because the bottom side of the slanted front face recedes backward, the flat top face can be provided, and simultaneously, enough space for the feeding and discharging of paper can be secured.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to an image forming apparatus,and more particularly, to a useful compact front-operable image formingapparatus and a paper discharge tray of the same.

BACKGROUND ART

Image forming apparatuses includes printers, facsimile machines, andcopiers, for example.

Ink jet image forming apparatuses (ink jet recording apparatuses) areknown as a kind of image forming apparatus. The ink jet recordingapparatus records images on a recording medium such as paper andtransparent plastic sheets for OHP, by discharging ink droplets from arecording head thereof. The advantages of the ink jet recordingapparatus include low running cost, low noise, and easy color printingusing multiple color inks.

Electrophotography image forming apparatuses are known as another kindof image forming apparatus. The electrophotography image formingapparatus forms toner images on a photosensitive unit using a chargingunit, an exposure unit, and development unit, for example; transfers thetoner images on the recording medium using a transfer unit; and fixesthe transferred toner images using a fixing unit.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open Application No. 11-151841 discloses aconventional image forming apparatus in which a paper cassette is loadedfrom the front of the image forming apparatus and paper is fed from therear of the image forming apparatus. After an image is formed on thepaper, the paper is discharged into a paper discharge tray at the rearof the image forming apparatus. In another conventional image formingapparatus, paper is fed from a paper feed tray loaded at the rear of theimage forming apparatus, and the paper is discharged into the paperdischarge tray at the front of the image forming apparatus.

Such image forming apparatuses are widely used both in small offices andat home where space for the image forming apparatus is limited. Theimage forming apparatus may be disposed on a desk or in a rack.

According to the limitation of the space, the image forming apparatus ispreferably made compact. Contradictorily, the top face of the imageforming apparatus is preferably made wide and flat so that a user canplace something thereon.

However, if the top face of the image forming apparatus is simply madewide and flat, the top face may give a negative visual impression to theuser. If the top face of the image forming apparatus is simply madewide, the loading of the paper feed tray and the handling of paperdischarged into the paper discharge tray may become difficult. Theoperability of the image forming apparatus may be degraded. Otherwise,the paper discharge tray and/or the paper feed tray may greatly protrudefrom the image forming apparatus body. The footprint of the imageforming apparatus may be increased.

If operations keys and displays are provided on the top face, it becomesdifficult to use the top face effectively, even if the top face is madelarge. Additionally, if the top face of the image forming apparatus bodyis made flat, the user can place something thereon. However, it is notcost-effective to design the image forming apparatus body to supportheavy weight.

As described above, the footprint of the image forming apparatus ispreferably small. However, if paper is fed from the rear and dischargedto the front of the image forming apparatus, even if the image formingapparatus body is made compact, the total system becomes considerablylarger. It would be difficult to dispose it on a desk or in a rack.

In the case of the conventional image forming apparatus disclosed in theabove Japanese Patent Laid-Open Application No. 11-151841 in which thepaper feed tray and the paper discharge tray are disposed at the sameside, its total space may become small. However, the paper feed tray(paper cassette) needs to be loaded from the opposite direction in whichpaper is fed. Accordingly, a large space is required in front of and inrear of the image forming apparatus so as to handle (load and remove)the paper feed cassette. It is difficult to dispose the image formingapparatus on a desk or in a rack.

According to the above problems, it is preferred that the paper feedtray be loaded at the front of the image forming apparatus, and thepaper be fed from the lower front, reversed in the image formingapparatus, and discharged to the upper front of the image formingapparatus. In this case, the paper feed tray is positioned under thepaper discharge tray. It becomes difficult to handle the paper feed traywhile replenishing with paper.

If the total height of the image forming apparatus needs to be reduced,the paper needs to be reversed at a short radius in the image formingapparatus, especially in the case of the ink jet recording apparatus.The paper discharge tray needs to be disposed to some extent below theopening through which paper is discharged so that a large amount ofpaper can be stacked in the paper discharge tray. In addition, it iseffective to transport paper to its width direction to make the depth ofthe image forming apparatus short and to make the speed of printoperation fast.

However, if paper is reversed at a short radius, the paper tends to rollup in the transport directions, which may make the discharging of thepaper difficult. Likewise, if the paper discharge tray is disposed belowthe opening to some extent, the paper drops in the paper discharge traywith its top rolled up due to its weight, which makes the discharging ofthe paper difficult. The forming of images on paper using ink dropletsmakes the paper easily roll up. The rolling up of the paper may beincreased by the effect of the direction of fibers forming the paper.

Furthermore, it is desired that not only the feeding and discharging ofpaper but also the ink cartridges, power switch, connection with the PC,and power cable, for example, be accessible from the front in order toimprove the operability of the image forming apparatus.

It is also preferable that accessories such as a manual, a USB cable,preparative inks, and installation disks be stored in the image formingapparatus so as to avoid losing them.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

It is a general object of the present invention to provide a novel anduseful image forming apparatus in which one or more of the aboveproblems are eliminated.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide an imageforming apparatus with a relatively wide flat top face that dischargesand is fed paper in the front. Another object of the present inventionis to provide an image forming apparatus with a relatively wide flat topface that looks more compact than it actually is. Yet another specificobject of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatusthat can be easily replenished with paper. Yet another object of thepresent invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that cansmoothly discharge paper. Yet another object of the present invention isto provide an image forming apparatus that is operable withoutincreasing the footprint thereof.

To achieve one or more of the above objects, an image forming apparatusaccording to an aspect of the present invention includes a substantiallyflat top face and a slanted front face, the bottom side of which recedesbackward.

Because the bottom side of the slanted front face recedes backward, theflat top face can be provided, and simultaneously, enough space for thefeeding and discharging of paper can be provided.

The image forming apparatus may include a paper discharge tray disposedat a lower portion of the slanted front face, the paper discharge trayprotruding forward. The paper discharge tray may be tiltable upward anddownward.

The image forming apparatus may further include a paper feed traydisposed at a lower portion of the slanted front face, the paper feedtray protruding forward.

An image forming apparatus according to another aspect of the presentinvention may include a substantially flat top face that is visiblydivided. The division is may be realized by a stripe-shaped dividingelement formed on said top face that divides said top face into a frontportion and a rear portion, or a step formed on said top face, whereinsaid step divides said top face into a front portion and a rear portion.

The image forming apparatus looks more compact than it actually is as aresult of the division.

An image forming apparatus according to yet another aspect of thepresent invention may include: a paper feed tray that applies pressureto paper stacked therein for feeding the paper; a paper discharge trayfor stacking paper on which an image is formed, wherein said paperdischarge tray is tiltable bidirectionally; and a release mechanismthat, when said paper discharge tray is tilted, releases the pressureapplied to the paper stacked in said paper feed tray.

When the paper discharge tray is lifted up, the release mechanismreleases the paper feed tray, and the paper feed tray is pushed out ofthe apparatus body. The release mechanism improves the operability ofthe image forming apparatus.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a paperdischarge tray in which paper discharged from an apparatus body isstacked includes a slope on which the paper is stacked, a first side ofsaid slope being higher than a second side of said slope, wherein thefirst side is in the downstream direction in which the paper isdischarged.

The slope formed in the paper discharge tray makes the discharging ofpaper from the apparatus body smooth.

An image forming apparatus according to yet another aspect of thepresent invention includes: an image forming unit for forming an imageon paper; a detachable transport cover provided on a rear side of theimage forming apparatus for covering a mechanism of said image formingunit; and a storage unit formed on said detachable transport cover forstoring miscellaneous objects.

Since the transport cover is detachable and has the storage unit formedthereon, the image forming apparatus can store miscellaneous objectstherein without increasing its footprint.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention willbecome more apparent from the following detailed description when readin conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an ink jet recording apparatusaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 2A is a front perspective view of the ink jet recording apparatuswith the cover of its ink cartridge loading unit open;

FIG. 2B is a front perspective view of the ink jet recording apparatusfor explaining the loading of an ink cartridge;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the ink jet recording apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the ink jet recording apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining an exemplary use form ofthe ink jet recording apparatus;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining another exemplary use formof the ink jet recording apparatus;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view for explaining an exemplary top face of theink jet recording apparatus;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view for explaining another exemplary top faceof the ink jet recording apparatus;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view for explaining yet another exemplary topface of the ink jet recording apparatus;

FIG. 10A is a side view showing the mechanism of the ink jet recordingapparatus;

FIG. 10B is a top view showing the mechanism of the ink jet recordingapparatus;

FIG. 10C is a perspective view showing some elements of the mechanism ofthe ink jet recording apparatus;

FIGS. 11A and 11B are schematic diagrams for explaining the relationbetween a paper discharge tray and a paper feed tray of the ink jetrecording apparatus;

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram for explaining a state in which the paperfeed tray of the ink jet recording apparatus is drawn out of theapparatus body;

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining a state in which the paperfeed tray of the ink jet recording apparatus is pushed into theapparatus body;

FIG. 14 is a side view for explaining a mechanism for releasing thepaper feed tray of the ink jet recording apparatus;

FIG. 15 is a top view for explaining the mechanism for releasing thepaper feed tray of the ink jet recording apparatus;

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram for explaining the engagement between thepaper feed tray and the apparatus body;

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram for explaining the replenishing of thepaper feed tray with paper;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view for explaining the replenishing of thepaper feed tray with paper;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view for explaining the paper discharge tray ofthe ink jet recording apparatus;

FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram for explaining the paper discharge tray;

FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram for explaining a duplex paper feed unitbefore being loaded to the apparatus body;

FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram for explaining the duplex paper feed unitafter being loaded to the apparatus body;

FIG. 23 is a rear perspective view of the ink jet recording apparatusfor explaining a transport cover;

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view showing the transport cover;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of an ink cartridge according to anembodiment;

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the ink cartridge with its thirdhousing disassembled;

FIG. 27 is a front cross-sectional view showing the ink cartridge;

FIG. 28 is a side view of an ink bag according to an embodiment;

FIG. 29 is a bottom view of the ink bag shown in FIG. 28 that is filledwith ink;

FIG. 30 is a schematic diagram showing the cross-section of aluminumlaminated film that forms the bag body of the ink bag;

FIG. 31 is a side view of a holding member of the ink bag;

FIG. 32 is a rear view of the holding member shown in FIG. 31;

FIG. 33 is a front view of the holding member shown in FIG. 31;

FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view of an ink outlet of the ink bag;

FIG. 35 is a side view of an ink bag according to another embodiment,the ink bag being stored in an ink cartridge;

FIG. 36 is a perspective view of the ink bag that is filled with ink;

FIG. 37 is a bottom view of the ink bag shown in FIG. 35 that is filledwith ink;

FIG. 38 is a side view of a first housing of the ink cartridge;

FIG. 39 is a side view of a second housing of the ink cartridge;

FIG. 40 is a side view of the first housing and the ink bag lockedthereto of the ink cartridge;

FIG. 41 is a perspective view of an ink cartridge according to anotherembodiment;

FIG. 42 is a side schematic diagram for explaining the connectionbetween the ink cartridge and the apparatus body;

FIG. 43 is a front schematic diagram for explaining the connectionbetween the ink cartridge and the apparatus body;

FIG. 44 is a perspective view of an ink cartridge according to yetanother embodiment;

FIG. 45 is a schematic diagram for explaining a disposition of the inkcartridges according to an embodiment;

FIG. 46 is a schematic diagram for explaining a disposition of the inkcartridges according to another embodiment;

FIG. 47 is a schematic diagram for explaining a disposition of the inkcartridges according to yet another embodiment;

FIG. 48 is a schematic diagram for explaining a disposition of the inkcartridges according to yet another embodiment;

FIG. 49 is a schematic diagram for explaining a disposition of the inkcartridges according to yet another embodiment;

FIG. 50 is a schematic diagram for explaining a disposition of the inkcartridges according to yet another embodiment;

FIG. 51 is a schematic diagram for explaining a disposition of the inkcartridges according to yet another embodiment;

FIG. 52 is a front perspective view of an ink jet recording apparatusaccording to another embodiment, to which an ink cartridge is loadedfrom the side;

FIG. 53 is a rear perspective view of an ink jet recording apparatusaccording to yet another embodiment, to which an ink cartridge is loadedfrom the rear; and

FIG. 54 is a front perspective view of an ink jet recording apparatusaccording to yet another embodiment, for explaining an exemplary frontface thereof.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

A description of the embodiments of the present invention is given belowwith reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing from front an ink jet recordingapparatus including a paper discharge tray according to an embodiment.FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing the ink jet recording apparatusaccording to the embodiment with its ink cartridge loading unit open.FIG. 2B is a perspective view showing the ink jet recording apparatusaccording to the embodiment for explaining the loading of an inkcartridge. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing from the rear the inkjet recording apparatus according to the embodiment.

The ink jet recording apparatus includes an apparatus body 1, a paperfeed tray 2, and a paper discharge tray 3. The paper feed tray 2 isloaded on the apparatus body 1 and feeds paper. The paper discharge tray3 is also loaded on the apparatus body 1, and paper on which images areformed is stacked on the paper discharge tray 3.

The top face 11 of the apparatus body 1 is formed by an upper cover 10that can be opened and closed. The top face 11 is substantially flat.The front face 12 of the apparatus body 1 is formed by a front cover.The front face 12 slants backward from the front edge of the top face11.

Because the front face 12 of the apparatus body 1 slants backward fromthe front edge of the top face 11, the top face 11 can be extendedtoward the front of the apparatus body 1. According to this arrangement,the top face 11 becomes large but the apparatus body 1 looks smallerthan it actually is.

The paper discharge tray 3 and the paper feed tray 2 protrude at a lowerposition of the slanted front face 12. Because the front face 12 slantsand the lower portion thereof recedes backward, the total depth D (FIG.6) of the system including the paper feed tray 2 and the paper dischargetray 3 becomes short.

According to this arrangement, a large portion of the paper dischargetray 3 becomes visible to the user. The user can easily handle paperdischarged in the paper discharge tray 3 and check images formed on thepaper. The replenishing of paper to the paper feed tray 2 becomes easy,and a side guide provided to the paper feed tray 2 becomes easy tohandle.

Additionally, the apparatus body 1 includes the cartridge loading unit 4at a side of the front face 12, the cartridge loading unit 4 protrudingforward. An operations unit 5 including operational keys and a displayunit is provided on a top face 4 a of the cartridge loading unit 4. Anopenable front cover 15 is provided to the cartridge loading unit 4 forloading and unloading an ink cartridge 38 (recording liquid cartridge).

Since the operations unit is provided on the top face 4 a of thecartridge loading unit 4, the user can use the substantially flat topface 11 efficiently. Even if the image forming apparatus is disposed ona rack 18 as shown in FIG. 5, the user can easily operate the operationsunit 5 and see the display unit therein. The user can load and unloadthe ink cartridge 38 from the front of the image forming apparatus.Accordingly, the operability of the image forming apparatus is improved.

Furthermore, the top cover 10 of the apparatus body 1 including thefront edge portion 11 a of the top face 11 can be entirely opened. Thefront face of the front edge portion 11 a is cut with a slant to beflush with and in the plane of the slanted front face 12. According tothis arrangement, the users can easily open the top cover 10 using theirfingers.

A step 21 is formed substantially at the middle of the substantiallyflat top face 11 (the top face of the top cover 10) of the apparatusbody 1. The top face 11 is separated into a top face front 11A and a topface rear 11B.

The separating of the top face 11 causes various mental effects in theusers. It causes the users to feel as if the depth of the apparatus body1 is short. The separating of the top face 11 also causes the users notto place a heavy object thereon, and prevents the top face 11 from beingbroken.

The separating of the top face 11 with the step 21 also physicallystrengthens the top cover 10. Since the top face front 11A is below thetop face rear 11B, the user feels as if the total height of theapparatus body 1 is low.

According to this embodiment, the top face 11 is separated into thefront portion and the rear portion by the step 21. According to anotherembodiment shown in FIG. 7, the top face 11 may be separated into thetop face front 11A and the top face rear 11B by coloring them withdifferent colors instead of forming the step 21.

According to yet another embodiment shown in FIG. 8, a color band 22 isformed on the top face 11 to separate it into the front portion and therear portion. According to yet another embodiment (not shown), a convexbump of a small height may be formed on the top face 11 to separate itinto the front portion and the rear portion. The image formingapparatuses according to these embodiments pose the same mental effectsin the users.

The image forming apparatuses shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 do not have a stepthat divides the top face 11. According to this arrangement, the entiretop face 11 becomes flat (fully flat). When the user places an object onthe top face 11 of the apparatus body 1, the object stands upright.

According to yet another embodiment as shown in FIG. 9, the top face 11of the apparatus body 1 may be made fully flat without dividing the topface 11 even visibly (by coloring the top face 11 with different colorsas shown in FIG. 7 or forming a color line as shown in FIG. 8). In thiscase, the users can put objects on the top face 11, or easily handle thepaper cassette and discharged paper in the paper discharge tray. Theusers also can easily operate the operations unit 5 and see the displayunit therein.

Referring to FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C, the mechanism of the ink jetrecording apparatus is described below. FIG. 10A is a schematic diagramshowing the entire structure of the mechanism. FIG. 10B is a top viewshowing the mechanism. FIG. 10C is a perspective view showing the inksupply system of the mechanism.

A frame 301 includes side plates 301A and 301B on the left and right,respectively. A carriage 33 is held with a guide rod 31 and a stay 32fixed between the side plates 301A and 301B. The carriage is driven by amain scan motor (not shown) and is movable in the directions indicatedby an arrow shown in FIG. 10B so as to scan in the main scan directions.

The carriage 33 includes recording heads 34 that are ink jet heads fordischarging yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (Bk) inks,respectively. Each recording head 34 is provided with multiple openingsfor discharging ink downward.

An ink jet head of the recording head 34 may include an energygenerating unit such as the following: a piezoelectric actuator such asa piezoelectric component, a thermal actuator that uses phase changecaused by membrane boiling of liquid using electro-thermal elements suchas exothermic resistance, a shape memory alloy actuator using metalphase change caused by temperature change, and an electrostatic actuatorusing electrostatic force.

A driver IC is mounted on the recording head 34. The driver IC isconnected to a control unit (not shown) via a harness (a flexible printcable) 302.

Sub-tanks 35 corresponding to respective colors are mounted on therecording head 34, and supply ink of respective colors to the recordingheads 34. Ink is supplied from the ink cartridges 38 (main tanks) to therespective sub-tanks 35 via respective ink supply tubes 36. Each inkcartridge 38 contains ink of either yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M),or black (Bk).

The ink cartridges are loaded in the cartridge loading unit 4 as shownin FIG. 10B. The cartridge loading unit 4 is equipped with a supply pumpunit 304 for transporting the ink in the ink cartridges 38. The inksupply tubes 36 are fixed with a fixing member 305 to a rear plate 301Cincluded in the frame 301 on the way to the sub-tanks 35.

Paper 42 is stacked on a paper stack unit (pressure plate) 41 of thepaper feed tray 2. A sheet of paper 42 is transported from the paperstack unit 41 using a half-moon roller (paper feed roller) 43 and aseparation pad 44 made of a high-friction material opposite the paperfeed roller 43. The separation pad 0.44 presses against the paper feedroller 43. The paper feed roller 43 and separation pad 44 form a paperfeed unit.

As a transport unit that transports the paper 42 fed by the paper feedunit under the recording head 34, the mechanism also includes thefollowing: a transport belt 51 that holds and transports the paper 42, acounter roller 52 that pinches the paper 42 fed by the paper feed unitvia a guide 45 with the transport belt 51, a transport guide 53 thatguides the paper 42 for changing its transport direction by about 90degrees, and a point press roller 55 that is pressed by a press member54 toward the transport belt 51. The mechanism also includes a chargeroller 56 that is a charging unit for charging the surface of thetransfer belt 51.

The transport belt 51 is a endless belt operated by a transport roller57 and a tension roller 58. The transport belt 51 moves in a belttransport direction (the sub scan direction) shown in FIG. 10B. Thetransport belt 51 includes a front layer that is a paper holding facemade of 40 μm thick resin material such as ETFE pure material, of whichresistance is not controlled, and a back layer (medium resistance layer,earth layer) made of the same material, of which resistance iscontrolled using carbon.

The charge roller 56 touches the front layer of the transport belt 51and rotates following the movement of the transport belt 51. Atensioning force of 2.5 N is applied axially to both ends of the shafton which the transport roller 57 rotates so as to tension the transportbelt 51. The transport roller 57 also functions as the above earthlayer, and touches the medium resistance layer (back layer) of thetransport belt 51, and is grounded.

A guide member 61 is provided at the back of the transport belt 51corresponding to the printable region of the recording head 34. The topface of the guide member 61 protrudes above the tangent line of tworollers (the transport roller 57 and the tension roller 58) sustainingthe transport belt 51 toward the recording head 34. According to thisarrangement, the transport belt 51 is displaced toward the recordinghead by the top face of the guide member 61 in the printable region forimproving the flatness of the transport belt 51.

Multiple grooves are formed on a face of the guide member 61 touchingthe back face of the transport belt 51, the direction of the groovesbeing perpendicular to the transport direction. The grooves reduce thecontact area between the transport belt 51 and the guide member 61 sothat the transport belt 51 can smoothly move along the surface of theguide member 61.

Tiltable guide rollers 63 and 64 are provided at the upstream side andthe downstream side, respectively, of the guide member 61, the guiderollers 63 and 64 touching the back face of the transport belt 51. Theguide rollers 63 and 64 are preferably disposed to extend to near bothedges of the guide member 61.

A paper discharge unit for discharging the paper 42 includes aseparation nail 71 for separating the paper from the transport belt 51,a paper discharge roller 72, and paper discharge roller 73. The paperdischarge tray 3 is provided below the paper discharge roller 72. Thepaper discharge unit is higher than the paper discharge tray 3 to someextent so that many sheets of paper 42 can be stacked in the paperdischarge tray 3.

A detachable duplex paper feed unit 81 is provided at the back portionof the apparatus body 1 (also see FIG. 3). The duplex paper feed unit 81receives the paper 42 returned by the reverse rotation of the transportbelt 51, reverses the paper 42, and outputs the paper to the transportbelt 51 and the counter roller 52. A manual paper feed unit 82 isprovided above the duplex paper feed unit 81.

As shown in FIG. 10B, a maintenance recovery mechanism (subsystem) 311is provided for maintaining the performance of the nozzles of therecording head 34 and recovering from problems, if any, in a unprintableregion at a side of the carriage 33. The subsystem 311 includes a capmember 312 for capping the nozzle faces of the recording heads 34, awiper blade 313 for wiping the nozzle faces, and a blank dischargereceiver 314 for receiving discharged blank ink droplets (thedischarging of ink droplets that do not contribute to image forming).Likewise, another blank discharge receiver 315 is provided at the otherside of the unprintable region for receiving discharged blank inkdroplets.

According to the above structure of the ink jet recording apparatus, thepaper 42 is fed from the paper feed tray 2 sheet by sheet to asubstantially vertical direction, and is guided by the guide 45. Thepaper 42 is transported being pinched between the transport belt 51 andthe counter roller 52. The point (leading edge) of the paper 42 isguided by the transport guide 53, pressed to the transport belt 51 bythe point press roller 55, and the transport direction of the paper 42is changed about 90 degrees.

An alternating high voltage generated by a high voltage power supplycontrolled by a control circuit (not shown) is applied to the chargeroller 56. The charge roller forms a charge pattern on the transportbelt 51 in which positively charged belt-shaped regions and negativelycharged belt-shaped regions alternate. When the paper 42 is fed on thealternatingly charged transport belt 51, the paper 42 isreverse-polarized. The paper 42 and the transport belt 51 form aparallel-connected imaginary capacitor. Accordingly, the paper 42 isheld by the transport belt 51 and transported in the sub scan directionas the transport belt 51 moves.

The recording head 34 is activated in response to the image signal asthe carriage 33 is moved in the main scan directions. During thisoperation, the image signal of a scan line is recorded on the haltedpaper 42 by discharging ink droplets. Then, the paper 42 is carried fora predetermined distance, and the image signal of the next scan line isrecorded on the paper 42. This image forming operation ends in responseto receipt of a signal indicating the end of the image signal or asignal indicating the end of the paper 42. Then, the paper 42 isdischarged to the paper discharge tray 3.

A detailed description of the paper feed tray 2 and the paper dischargetray 3 is given with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12.

A press plate 41 of the paper feed tray 2 is biased toward the paperfeed roller 43 (see FIG. 10A) so that the paper 42 is pressed even in anidling state. According to this arrangement, the paper 42 can be stablyfed.

The paper discharge tray 3 functions as a top cover of the paper feedtray 2. As shown in FIG. 10A, the paper discharge tray 3 can be tilted(partially rotated) around a spindle 91. A pressure release unit 92 isprovided at the top of the paper discharge tray 3 that, when the paperfeed tray 2 is drawn out, releases the paper feed pressure.

When the back end of the paper discharge tray 3 is lifted upward, thepressure release unit 92 of the paper discharge tray 3 presses down onthe pressure plate 41 (when no paper is stacked) or the paper 42 of thepaper feed tray 2, and releases the paper feed pressure.

According to the above arrangement, when the paper discharge tray 3 issimply lifted upward, the paper feed pressure applied to the paper 42can be released. No additional operation such as the pressing of apressure release button is required. The paper feed tray 2 is preventedfrom, while the paper feed pressure is applied on the paper (or on thepressure plate, if no paper is stacked) being drawn out. The paper feedtray 2 is also prevented from, while the paper feed pressure is appliedon the paper, being pushed into the apparatus body and causing a paperjam.

Since the paper discharge tray 3 serves as the top cover of the paperfeed tray 2, the paper discharge tray 3 can prevent dust from enteringthe paper feed tray 2. Additionally, it becomes possible to employ theabove structure in which, when the paper discharge tray 3 is tilted, thepaper feed pressure applied to the paper 42 is released.

FIG. 11A shows the state in which the paper discharge tray 3 covers thepaper feed tray 2, and FIG. 11B shows the state in which the paperdischarge tray 3 is lifted up. When the paper discharge tray 3 is liftedup, the paper feed tray 2 is pushed back (to the direction of the frontof the recording apparatus) for a certain distance (about 20 mm, forexample) as a result of the operation of a bias unit.

As described above, when the user replenishes the paper feed tray 2 withpaper, the user needs only to lift the paper discharge tray 3 serving asthe top cover of the paper feed tray 2. The lifting of the paperdischarge tray 3 automatically releases the paper feed pressure appliedto the paper and causes the paper feed tray 2 to be pushed toward theuser. The user can easily make sure that the paper feed pressure appliedto the paper is released and draw out the paper feed tray 2.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, a description is given about the statesbefore and after the setting of the paper feed tray 2.

As shown in FIG. 12, the paper feed tray 2 includes a cassette bottomplate 41 that can be tilted around a spindle 121. An arm member 122 thatcan be tilted around a spindle 123 is provided at the point (end) of thepaper feed tray 2. One of the ends of the arm member 122 and the bottomplate 41 are connected by a separation spring 124. Paper 42 can be seton the bottom plate 41 in the state shown in FIG. 12.

As shown in FIG. 13, when the paper feed tray 2 is pushed into theapparatus body, a guide member 125 causes the end of the arm member 122provided at the point of the paper feed tray 2 to rotate. Since thebottom plate 41 and the arm member 122 are connected by the separationspring 124, the bottom plate 41 rises and tilts as the arm member 122rotates. As a result, a preferable pressure for separating each sheet ofthe paper 42 is applied to the paper 42 set on the bottom plate 41.

When the paper feed tray 2 is set in the apparatus body 1, the point ofthe paper feed tray 2 touches the paper feed roller 43 (see FIG. 10A).The separation spring 124 applies a clock-wise force (see FIG. 13) tothe arm member 122. Accordingly, the paper feed tray 2 is provided witha force from guide member 125 to push it out of the apparatus body 1.When the paper feed tray 2 is released (described below), the forcepushes the paper feed tray out of the apparatus body 1 (toward the user)for a predetermined distance.

A detailed description of the paper feed tray release mechanism is givenwith reference to FIGS. 14 through 16.

As described above, the paper discharge tray 3 is supported by and canbe tilted around the spindle 91. When the paper supply is replenished,the paper discharge tray 3 is lifted up. When the paper discharge tray 3is lifted up, a rotatable lever 126 provided near the spindle 91 (thecenter of rotation of the paper discharge tray 3) is pressed and rotatesaround the spindle 127.

According to the rotation of the lever 126, the lever 126 pushes thelever 129 disposed below the lever 126. The lever 129 is disposed on theframe of the apparatus 1 and can move to the right and left. As shown inFIG. 15, an arm member 130 is connected to the lever 129 and rotates asthe lever 129 moves. The arm member 130 can rotate around a spindle 131.

On the other hand, the paper feed tray 2 is fixed to the apparatus body1 with the nail unit 133 provided on the bottom face of the paper feedtray 2, wherein the nail unit 133 is hooked to the frame 134 of theapparatus body 1. The nail unit 133 is flexible. As the arm member 130rotates in the direction shown in FIG. 16, the nail unit 133 of thepaper feed tray 2 is lifted up as indicated by a vertical arrow, and thehooking between the nail unit 133 and the apparatus body frame 134 isreleased. Because the paper feed tray 2 is pushed with the forcedescribed above, the paper feed tray 2 is automatically pushed out ofthe apparatus body 1 to the user.

The lever 126 includes a lever body 136, a lever assistance part 137,and a spring 138 as shown in FIG. 14. The lever assistance part 137 isconnected to the lever body 136 via the spring 138. If the leverassistance part 137 is connected to the lever body 136 directly, sincethe paper feed tray 2 and the paper discharge tray 3 are interlocked bythe release mechanism, when the paper feed tray 2 is set into theapparatus body, the paper discharge tray 3 needs to be lowered. Thespring 138 makes it possible to set the paper feed tray 2 whichever theposition of the paper discharge tray 3 is.

If the paper feed tray 2 is set and then the paper discharge tray 3 ispushed down, the lever unit of the paper discharge tray 3 pushes thelever 126. Because the lever assistance part 137 is supported by thespring 138 against the lever body 136, the lever assistance part 137clears. The paper feed tray 2 is not affected by the pushing down of thepaper discharge tray 3.

According to the above arrangements, the paper feed tray 2 isautomatically pushed out of the apparatus body 1 as the paper dischargetray 3 is lifted up and pushes down.

The image forming apparatus according to the embodiment is designed sothat the paper feed tray 2 cannot be completely pulled out of theapparatus body 1. As shown in FIG. 17, the pushed-out paper feed tray 2and the lifted paper discharge tray 3 form an opening. The height H ofthe opening is constrained. That is, the height to which the paperdischarge tray 3 can be lifted and the distance to which the paper feedtray 2 can be drawn out constrain the size of the opening. Accordingly,the user is prevented from resupplying too much paper to the paper feedtray 2.

As shown in FIG. 18, the opening 2 a of the paper feed tray 2 is blockedby an end fence 95. The end fence 95 makes it difficult to insert paperthrough the opening 2 a. The user is prevented from replenishing thepaper supply erroneously.

A description of the paper discharge tray 3 is given with reference toFIGS. 19 and 20. FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing the recordingapparatus 1. FIG. 20 is a front view of the paper discharge tray 3.

The paper discharge tray 3 includes a slope unit 101 of which thedownstream side in the direction in which paper is discharged is higherthan the upstream side. A down step 102 is provided to each edge of theslope unit (center unit) 101 in a directions perpendicular to thedirection in which the paper is discharged.

Since the upstream side in the direction in which the paper isdischarged is lower than the downstream side, the height between thepaper discharge roller 72 and the paper discharge tray 3 becomes great.According to this arrangement, many sheets of paper can be stacked onthe paper discharge tray 3. Additionally, because the point (leadingedge) of the paper 42 touches the paper discharge tray 3 quickly, thestacked paper 42 is prevented from rolling up.

In the case in which the transport roller 57 has a short radius and thedirection in which paper is transported is changed about 90 degree formaking the image forming apparatus compact, and in the case in whichimages are recorded by the ink jet recording method, the paper 42 issubject to roll up. The paper being discharged can be prevented fromcoming in contact with the paper already discharged into the dischargetray 3 by preventing the already discharged paper from rolling up. Then,the discharging of the paper becomes smooth.

Because the down step unit 102 is formed at each edge of the center unit101 in the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the paperis discharged, even if the paper 42 has rolled up, the rolling up onboth sides of the paper 42 can be cleared as shown in FIG. 20. Thedischarging of the paper becomes smooth.

A description is given of a transport cover attached to the apparatusbody 1 in the place of the duplex paper feed unit 81. Referring to FIGS.21 and 22, a description is provided of the mechanism by which theduplex paper feed unit 81 is attached. FIG. 21 is a schematic diagramshowing the state before the duplex paper feed unit 81 is attached, andFIG. 22 is a schematic diagram showing the state after the duplex paperfeed unit 81 has been attached.

Notches 141 (upper and lower) for positioning the duplex paper feed unitare formed on the apparatus body 1. Boss units 142 corresponding to therespective notches are formed on the duplex paper feed unit 81.Accordingly, when the duplex paper feed unit 81 is attached to theapparatus body 1, the duplex paper feed unit 81 is positioned by fittingthe boss units 142 into the notches 141.

A lever 144 rotatable around a spindle 143 is provided on the duplexpaper feed unit 81. The point 144 a (lock unit) of the lever 144 can belocked to a fixing pin 145 on the apparatus body side. After the duplexpaper feed unit 81 is positioned on the apparatus body 1, the lever 144is rotated. The duplex paper feed unit 81 can be fixed on the apparatusbody 1 by hooking the point unit 144 a of the lever 144 to the fixingpin 145 provided on the apparatus body 1.

Referring to FIGS. 23 and 24, the transport cover 111 is describedbelow. FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing the rear face of therecording apparatus, and FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view showing thetransport cover 111. When the duplex paper feed unit 81 is not used, theinterior of the transport mechanism is exposed. Accordingly, thetransport cover 111 having substantially the same outline as the duplexpaper feed unit 81 can be attached to the apparatus body 1.

In this case, the shape of the outside face of the transport cover 111is about the same as that of the protruding units 1 a and 1 b protrudingone from each side of the rear face of the apparatus body 1. Accordingto the shape of the transport cover 111, the right and left sides of therear face do not protrude alone, which prevents the apparatus body 1from looking bigger than it actually is.

The inside of the transport cover 111 is a storage unit 112. A covermember 113 that can be opened by rotating around a hinge 114 is providedon the top face thereof. Accessories and supplies such as a user'smanual, an installation disk, and preparatory ink may be stored in thestorage unit 112. According to the above arrangement, the image formingapparatus with a storage unit 112 of good appearance can be provided.

According to the present embodiment, the transport cover 111 serves as aside wall of the storage unit 112. According to another embodiment, astorage pocket may be provided as a separate part of the transport cover111. The storage pocket may be fixed to the transport cover 111 or maybe formed monolithic with the transport cover 111.

A description is given next of an ink jet recording apparatus in whichfront-side operations are realized.

As described above, the paper 42 can be fed from the front side and isdischarged to the front side of the recording apparatus. Additionally,as shown in FIG. 2B, the ink cartridge 38 can be loaded from the frontside and unloaded to the front side.

In order to realize the front-side operations as described above, it isnecessary to provide the sub-tanks 35 on the carriage 33 for supplyingink to the recording heads 34, and to supply the ink from the inkcartridges 38 to the sub-tanks 35. The ink cartridges 38 need to bethin.

Referring to FIGS. 25 through 27, a description of the ink cartridge 38according to the present embodiment is given below.

The ink cartridge 38 includes an ink bag 402 for containing ink and ahousing 403 for storing the ink bag 402. The housing 403 includes afirst housing 411, a second housing 412, and a third housing 413. Thefirst housing 411 and the second housing 412 form a protection cover forprotecting the side faces of the ink bag 402. The housing 403 is dividedinto the first housing 411 and the second housing 412 that cover the inkbag 402 with planes parallel to the direction in which ink is supplied.

Referring to FIGS. 28 through 34, the ink bag 402 according to thepresent embodiment is described below. FIG. 28 is a side view of the inkbag 402. FIG. 29 is a bottom view of the ink bag 402 for explaining astate in which the ink bag 402 is filled with ink. FIG. 30 is across-sectional view of aluminum laminated film forming the body of theink bag 402. FIG. 31 is a side view showing a holding member 422 of theink bag 402. FIG. 32 is a rear view of the holding member 422. FIG. 33is a front view of the holding member 422. FIG. 34 is a cross-sectionalview showing the ink outlet 434 of the ink bag 402.

The ink bag 402 includes a flexible bag body 421 made of substantiallyrectangular aluminum laminated film and the holding member 422 made ofresin fixed on a long edge of the bag body 421.

As shown in FIG. 30, the bag body 421 according to the presentembodiment is made of aluminum laminated film 430 in which a drylamination 426, an aluminum film 427, a dry lamination 428, and PA 429are laminated on LDPE 25 (but not limited to the aluminum laminated film430). As shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, two sheets of the aluminum laminatedfilm 430 are adhered to each other at their edges (the shaded area inFIG. 28) to form a bag, and the bag is further adhered to the holdingmember 422. Unlike a conventional bag body having a frame therein forkeeping its shape, the bag body 421 according to the present embodimentdoes not have such a frame therein and is flexible. Accordingly, littleink remains unused.

As shown in FIGS. 31 through 33, the holding member 422 includes aflange unit 431, a connection unit 432 formed on a face of the flangeunit 431, an ink inlet unit 433 (ink inlet unit before adhesion isshown) formed on the other face of the flange unit 431, and the inkoutlet unit 434. The above units are formed monolithically. The bag body421 is thermally adhered to the connection unit 432. The ink inlet unit433 and the ink outlet unit 434 are hollow.

As shown in FIG. 32, both ends of the connection unit 432 (the ends inthe direction of length of the holding member 422) are tapered like adiamond. A groove 432 a surrounds the connection unit 432. According tothe arrangement, the bag body 421 made of the aluminum laminated film430 can be firmly adhered to the grooved perimeter of the connectionunit 432.

A hole 435 piercing the flange unit 431 and the connection unit 432 isformed in the ink inlet unit 433. After the ink bag 402 is filled withink, the ink inlet unit 433 is sealed by thermal fusion bonding. Thesealed ink inlet unit 433 is shown as a sealed unit 436 in FIGS. 28 and29. The ink inlet unit 433 can be sealed by thermal fusion bondingeasily and firmly.

A hole 437 for discharging ink piercing the flange unit 431 and theconnection unit 432 is formed in the ink outlet unit 434. An opening 438for fitting a flexible member that seals the hole 437 for dischargingink at the point of the ink outlet unit 434 is provided. A step unit 439to fit a cap member for holding the flexible unit is formed at a furtherperipheral region around the ink outlet unit 434.

The flexible member 441 is fitted into the point unit of the ink outletunit 434 as shown in FIG. 34, and the flexible member 441 is sustainedby a cap member 442. The flexible member 441 is preferably made ofrubber material such as silicon, fluorine, or butyl. When a hollowpin-shaped supply pin (that leads ink to the recording apparatus body)is inserted from the recording apparatus body side, the flexible member441 maintains the sealing but enables ink to be supplied to therecording apparatus body. When the supply pin is pulled out, theflexible member expands and keep the sealing intact.

The cap member 442 is formed by a pipe-shaped member 446 having a flangeunit 445 for holding the flexible member 441. A hole 447 is formed onthe flange unit 445 for inserting the supply pin from the recordingapparatus body side. Multiple blocking blocks 448 bent inward are formedon the pipe-shaped member 446. The cap member 442 is fitted on the pointof the ink outlet unit 434. The cap member 442 is kept fitted with theblocking blocks 448 engaging the step unit 439 as shown in FIG. 34.

As shown in FIG. 28, the ink outlet unit 434 of the holding member 422is disposed substantially at the center in the height direction of theink bag 402. Accordingly, when the ink cartridge 38 is positionedlongitudinally (as shown in FIG. 1), the ink in the bag body 421 of theink bag 402 flows smoothly compared to the case in which the ink outletunit is disposed at a side. Thereby, the ink can be consumed completely.

Engage units 451 and 452 that engage blocking nails (described below)provided on the first housing 411 side are formed on the holding member422 monolithically. Groove units 431 a and 431 b are formed at positionscorresponding to the engage unit 451 and 452 on the side face of theflange unit 431.

As described above, the ink bag 402 is formed by fixing the holdingmember 422 on an edge of the substantially rectangular flexible bag body421. The holding member 422 has the ink inlet unit 433 for replenishingthe bag body 421 with ink and the ink outlet unit 434 for dischargingthe ink contained in the bag body 421. The holding member 422 furtherhas the engage units 451 and 452. As a result, the ink can be consumedalmost completely. The ink bag 402 can be stably and detachably fixed tothe housing 403.

An ink bag 402 according to another embodiment is described below withreference to FIGS. 35 through 37. FIG. 35 is a side view of the ink bag402, FIG. 36 is a perspective view of the ink bag 402 that is filledwith ink, and FIG. 37 is a bottom view of the ink bag 402 shown in FIG.35.

In the ink bag 402, a bag body 421 is formed by two sheets of aluminumlaminated film 430 and a bottom unit 421 a made of the same aluminumlaminated film 430. According to the above arrangement, the ink bag 402can contain a large amount of ink therein.

The structure of the housing of the ink cartridge 38 is described belowwith reference to FIGS. 38 and 39. FIG. 38 is a side view of a firsthousing 411 of the ink cartridge 38, and FIG. 39 is a side view of asecond housing 412 of the ink cartridge 38.

The housing 403 of the ink cartridge 38 (see FIG. 25) includes a firsthousing 411, a second housing 412 similar to the first housing 411, anda third housing 413. The first housing 411 and the second housing 412are combined thereby to form a combined housing, and the third housing413 is fitted at a lower front portion of the combined housing therebyto form the rectangular housing 403. A recess unit 461 and a hookingunit 462 are formed on the housing 403. An opening 473 to which the inkoutlet unit 434 faces is formed on the front face of the housing 403.

The first housing 411 is substantially rectangular as shown in FIG. 38,for example. On the outer circumference of the first housing 411, arecess unit 461A, a hooking unit 462A, a notch unit 463A, and guideunits 464 and 465 are formed. The recess unit 461A and the hooking unit462A are the half portions of the recess unit 461 and the hooking unit462, respectively. The notch unit 463A forms a space into which an inkreplenishing apparatus can be introduced for replenishing with ink theink bag 402 held between the first housing 411 and the second housing412. The guide unit 464 and 465 are used for loading the ink cartridgeto the recording apparatus body or the ink replenishing apparatus.

Engage units 466 a, 466 b, and 466 c to which block nails of the secondhousing 412 (described below) are formed at three corners of the innerwall of the first housing 411. Positioning units 467 and 468 thatposition the holding member 422 are built on the inner wall of the firsthousing 411 for holding the holding member 422 of the ink bag 402.Engage nails 471 and 472 for engaging the engage salients 451 and 452 ofthe holding member 422 are also built on the inner wall of the firsthousing 411.

An arc unit 473A corresponding to about a quarter of the opening 473 isformed on the front face of the first housing 411. An engage recess 479to which, when the third housing 413 is fitted, an engage nail of thethird housing 413 is engaged is formed on the first housing 411.

As shown in FIG. 39, for example, the second housing 412 issubstantially similar to the first housing 411. On the outercircumference of the second housing 412, a recess unit 471B, a hookingunit 442B, a notch unit 463B, and an identification unit 484 are formed.The recess unit 471B and the hooking unit 442B are the half portions ofthe recess unit 461 and the hooking unit 462, respectively. The notchunit 463B forms space into which an ink replenishing apparatus can beintroduced for replenishing with ink the ink bag 402 held between thefirst housing 411 and the second housing 412. The identification unit484 is a salient for indicating the color of ink contained in the inkbag 402 of the ink cartridge 38.

Lock nails 486 a, 486 b, and 486 c to which engage units of the firsthousing 411 engage, are formed monolithically at three corners of theinner wall of the second housing 412. Fitting units 487 and 488, havinggrooves to which the holding member 422 of the ink bag 402 is fitted,are formed on the inner wall of the second housing 412.

An arc unit 473B corresponding to about a quarter of the opening 473 isformed on the front face of the second housing 412. An engage recess 489to which, when the third housing 413 is fitted, a lock nail of the thirdhousing 413 is engaged, is formed on the second housing 412.

As shown in FIG. 26, the third housing 413 is fitted to the notch unit463A and 463B on the front face at the ink supply side of the firsthousing 411 and the second housing 412 fitted together. Lock nails 491and 492 that engage the engage recess 479 and 489 of the first housing411 and the second housing 412, respectively, are formed on the thirdhousing 413. Additionally, an arc unit 473C corresponds to ½ of theopening unit 473.

According to the above structure, as shown in FIG. 40, the holdingmember 422 of the ink bag 402 is locked to the first housing 411 bypressing the holding member 422 positioned with the positioning units467 and 468 of the first housing 411 since the lock nails 471 and 472 ofthe first housing 411 lock the engage salients 451 and 452 of theholding member 422 of the ink bag 402.

Then, the first housing 411 and the second housing 412 are assembled bysuperposing and pressing them from the outside since the lock nails 486a-486 c of the second housing 412 are hooked to the engage units 466a-466 c of the first housing 411. The assembly (shown in FIG. 26) of thefirst housing 411 and the second housing 412 is completed.

As shown in FIG. 26, when the third housing 413 is fitted to the firsthousing 411 and the second housing 412, the lock nails 491 of the thirdhousing 413 are hooked by the engage recesses 479 and 489 of the firsthousing 411 and the second housing 412. Accordingly, the ink cartridge38 as shown in FIG. 25 is completed.

An ink cartridge 38 according to yet another embodiment is describedbelow with reference to FIGS. 41 and 26.

The ink cartridge 38 shown in FIG. 41 includes the ink bag 402, thefirst housing 411, and the second housing 412. The first housing 411 andthe second housing 412 have notch units 469A and 469B, respectively,formed around the ink outlet 434 and the cap member 442 provided at thepoint of the ink outlet 434 of the ink bag 402. The ink cartridge 38also includes the third housing 413 having a notch unit 499 formedaround the ink outlet 434 and the cap member 442 provided at the pointof the ink outlet 434 of the ink bag 402.

As shown in FIG. 42, the ink cartridge 38 is connected to the ink supplysystem of the apparatus body by inserting a needle 511 from theapparatus body side to the ink outlet unit 434 of the ink cartridge 38.The needle 511 is protected by a needle guard 512. However, when the inkcartridge 38 becomes thin, it is difficult to have enough opening forthe needle guard 512 to enter the opening 473. To solve this problem,the notch units are formed beside the ink outlet 434 and the cap member442 provided at the point of the ink outlet 434 of the ink bag 402, onthe housings 411, 412, and 413. According to this arrangement, theneedle guard 512 can enter without touching the housings. Thereby, theink cartridge can be made thinner.

The first housing 411 and the second housing 412 have notch units 469Aand 469B, respectively, formed around the ink outlet 434 and/or the capmember 442 provided at the point of the ink outlet 434 of the ink bag402. The third housing 413, however, has no notch unit.

As described above, since the ink bag 402 is stored in the cartridgehousing 403, it is possible to form the thin box-shaped ink cartridge38. Further, as shown in FIG. 10B, ink is supplied from the inkcartridge 38 to the sub-tank 35 provided on the carriage 33 via the inksupply tube 36. Accordingly, the ink cartridge can be loaded andunloaded to/from the apparatus body by the front operation.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open Application No. 10-202900, for example,discloses a conventional ink cartridge (or ink tank) for supplying inkto a sub-tank, the ink cartridge including a flexible bag-shaped inktank having the outlet of ink, and a chassis unit (housing) having anopening through which the ink tank can be stored and removed.

When the ink cartridge is loaded to the apparatus body from the top withthe ink outlet unit thereof facing down, the ink tank sets well to someextent in the chassis unit. However, if the ink cartridge is loaded tothe apparatus body from the front with the ink outlet unit thereoffacing horizontally, the ink tank slants in the chassis unit. That is,the conventional ink cartridge does not work in front loading. The inkcartridge according to the present invention can be loaded to andunloaded from the apparatus body from the front (front operation).

As shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 45, all ink cartridges 38 corresponding tofour respective colors are loaded at the right side of the front face ofthe recording apparatus body 1. The present invention is not limited tothe above embodiment.

For example, as shown in FIG. 46, color ink cartridges 38C are disposedat the right side of the apparatus body 1, but black ink cartridge 38Bmay be disposed at the left side of the apparatus body 1. The higherusage black ink cartridge 38B may be made bigger than the color inkcartridges 38C. A color ink cartridge 38C may be disposed at the leftside of the apparatus body 1.

As shown in FIG. 47, the ink cartridges 38 of four colors may bedisposed at the left side of the apparatus body 1. Alternatively, asshown in FIG. 48, one of the ink cartridges 38 may be disposed at theright side of the apparatus body 1, and the other ink cartridges 38 maybe disposed at the left side of the apparatus body 1. As shown in FIG.49, two ink cartridges may be disposed at each side of the apparatusbody 1. The number of ink cartridges 38 is not limited to four. Thenumber of ink cartridges 38 disposed at the right side of the apparatusbody 1 and that of ink cartridges 38 disposed at the left side of theapparatus body 1 may be equal and may be different.

According to the above embodiments, the ink cartridges are assumed to beloaded by sliding it into the loading unit from the front of theapparatus body. The ink cartridges 38, however, may be loaded sidewaysfrom the front of the apparatus body 1 as shown in FIG. 50.Additionally, the ink cartridge 38 may be loaded askew from the front ofthe apparatus body 1. The attitude of the ink cartridges 38 may bedetermined in accordance with the size and position of members disposedat the front side of the apparatus body 1.

According to the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, forexample, the ink cartridges 38 are slid and loaded in the apparatus body1. According to another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 52, the inkcartridge 38 may be slid in the apparatus body 1 from the side of theapparatus body 1, or from the rear of the apparatus body 1. In thiscase, the ink cartridges 38 may be disposed horizontally or askew asdescribed above.

According to the above embodiment, the paper feed tray 2, the paperdischarge tray 3, and the ink cartridges 38 are handled in the front ofthe apparatus body 1. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 54, a connector 611to which a power code is to be connected, a power switch 612, andanother connector such as a USB connector to which an external device isto be connected may be disposed on the front face 12 of the apparatusbody 1 (full front operation) so as to improve the operability of therecording apparatus.

According to the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to aserial type (shuttle type) ink jet recording apparatus in which acarriage scans paper. According to another embodiment, the presentinvention is applicable to a line type ink jet recording apparatushaving a line type head.

The present invention is applicable to not only the ink jet printer butalso, for example, a facsimile machine, a copier, and a multifunctionalperipheral that serves as a printer, a facsimile machine, and a copier.In addition, the present invention is applicable to an apparatus thatdischarges liquid other than ink, such as resist and DNA samples.

The present invention is not limited to these embodiments, andvariations and modifications may be made without departing from thescope of the present invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

According to the present invention, a useful compact front-operableimage forming apparatus can be provided. The bottom side of the slantfront face of the image forming apparatus recedes backward. According tothis arrangement, the flat top face can be provided, and simultaneously,enough space for the feeding and discharging of paper can be provided.

1. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a substantially flat topface; and a slanted front face, the bottom side of which recedesbackward.
 2. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 1, furthercomprising: a paper discharge tray disposed at a lower portion of saidslanted front face, said paper discharge tray protruding forward.
 3. Theimage forming apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said paperdischarge tray is tiltable upward and downward.
 4. The image formingapparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 through 3, furthercomprising: a paper feed tray disposed at a lower portion of saidslanted front face, said paper feed tray protruding forward.
 5. Theimage forming apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 through 4,further comprising: an operations unit at a portion of said slantedfront face, said operations unit protruding forward.
 6. The imageforming apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 through 5, whereinat least a portion of said top face including a front end thereof isformed as an openable top cover, and the bottom side of the front faceof the top cover recedes backward.
 7. An image forming apparatus,comprising: a substantially flat top face that is visibly divided. 8.The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 7, further comprising: astripe-shaped dividing element formed on said top face that divides saidtop face into a front portion and a rear portion.
 9. The image formingapparatus as claimed in claim 7, further comprising: a step formed onsaid top face, wherein said step divides said top face into a frontportion and a rear portion.
 10. The image forming apparatus as claimedin claim 9, wherein the front portion is lower than the rear portion.11. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a paper feed tray thatprovides pressure to paper stacked therein for feeding the paper; apaper discharge tray for stacking paper on which an image is formed,wherein said paper discharge tray is tiltable bidirectionally; and arelease mechanism that, when said paper discharge tray is tilted,releases the pressure provided to the paper stacked in said paper feedtray.
 12. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a paper feed tray forfeeding the paper; and a paper discharge tray for stacking paper onwhich an image is formed, wherein said paper discharge tray is tiltablebidirectionally; a move mechanism that, when said paper discharge trayis tilted, moves said paper feed tray in a direction opposite to thedirection in which the paper is fed.
 13. The image forming apparatus asclaimed in claim 11 or 12, wherein said paper discharge tray covers saidpaper feed tray as a top cover thereof.
 14. The image forming apparatusas claimed in claim 13, wherein the opening of said paper feed tray isdetermined depending on an angle at which said paper discharge tray canbe tilted and a distance up to which said paper feed tray can be drawn.15. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 13 or 14, whereinsaid paper feed tray has an opening on a front face thereof, and has anend fence for blocking the opening.
 16. A paper discharge tray in whichpaper discharged from an apparatus body is stacked, comprising: a slopeon which the paper is stacked, a first side of said slope being higherthan a second side of said slope, wherein the first side is in thedownstream of a direction in which the paper is discharged.
 17. A paperdischarge tray in which paper is discharged from an apparatus body isstacked, wherein side portions of the paper discharge tray in directionsperpendicular to a direction in which the paper is discharged are lowerthan a middle portion thereof.
 18. An image forming apparatus,comprising: an apparatus body that discharges paper on which an image isformed; and the paper discharge tray as claimed in claim 16 or
 17. 19.An image forming apparatus, comprising: an image forming unit forforming an image on paper; a detachable transport cover provided on arear side of the image forming apparatus for covering a mechanism ofsaid image forming unit; and a storage unit formed on said detachabletransport cover for storing miscellaneous objects.
 20. The image formingapparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein said storage unit and saiddetachable transport cover are formed monolithically or individually.21. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 19 or 20, wherein anoutline of said detachable transport cover is substantially identical toan outline of a portion protruding backward from a side of an apparatusbody.
 22. The image forming apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1through 15, and 18 through 21, further comprising: a recording head thatdischarges recording liquid for forming images.
 23. The image formingapparatus as claimed in claim 22, further comprising: a sub-tank thatsupplies the recording liquid to said recording head; and a recordingliquid cartridge that supplies the recording liquid to said sub-tank.24. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a recording head thatdischarges recording liquid for forming images; a recording liquidcartridge that supplies the recording liquid to said recording head; apaper feed tray; a paper discharge tray; and a cartridge loading unit inwhich said recording liquid cartridge is loaded; wherein said paper feedtray, said paper discharge tray, and said cartridge loading unit aredisposed on a front face of the image forming apparatus.
 25. The imageforming apparatus as claimed in claim 24, wherein said recording liquidcartridge is loaded to the image forming apparatus in the same directionin which said paper feed tray feeds paper.
 26. The image formingapparatus as claimed in claim 24 or 25, further comprising: at least oneof an operations unit, a connector to which an external resource is tobe connected, a power switch, and another connector to which a powercable is to be connected.
 27. The image forming apparatus as claimed inany one of claims 24 through 26, wherein said recording liquid cartridgeis shaped like a thin box.